THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 3, 1995 TAG: 9509010213
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Susan Towler often uses her background to advantage when she calls on clients at work or tries to recruit Pacesetter companies for the United Way campaign.
``If they don't recognize my name, I just tell them, `I'm Raymond Johnson's daughter,' '' said Towler, vice president of the commercial division of Crestar Bank.
Her father, owner of Johnson Roadside Equipment Co., is well known in the community. Suffolk residents recognize her maiden name even if they don't know her married name.
``It works every time,'' she said.
Towler, 30, has carved a solid reputation for herself as a banker and a community leader.
She's been involved in the United Way in one way or another throughout her banking career. Growing up in Suffolk helped her realize the community needs first-hand.
``I know what's out there,'' she said. ``Suffolk is a city of haves and have-nots.''
For now, Towler shares her Suffolk home with her husband, Vernon, and their two cats. But she has a soft spot for kids.
``The children are the neediest of all,'' she said. ``They come in here and if you give them a sucker or even just a smile, they're just so happy for the attention.''
Many of them evidently don't get much at home, she said.
``Somebody's got to give it to them if they stand a prayer of a chance,'' she said.
Several United Way agencies work specially with children, especially The Children's Center and the YMCA, she said.
She enjoys running the Pacesetter campaign because she can get her part done before fall, which is her busiest season.
She persuades companies to run their campaigns early to ``set the pace'' or serve as role models for the overall fund drive.
To be a Pacesetter, the company must try to increase its previous year's pledge by 10 percent.
This year, Frank Sheffer & Company Inc. decided to run as a Pacesetter company for the first time.
``It's great for them,'' Towler said. ``It's their less busy time of year and they can run a more effective campaign.''
The Pacesetter companies are just finishing their campaigns.
``They start early so they can get the momentum rolling,'' Towler told the United Way volunteers at Thursday's kick-off of the general fund.
``Let me tell you what they did this summer while we were out playing golf and swimming,'' she said. ``They raised almost $100,000 toward their goal of $110,000, and the dollars are still rolling in.'' MEMO: [For related stories on the United Way, see page 12 and 14 of The Sun
for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: Susan Towler has worked with United Way for all of her banking
career.
THE PACESETTERS
Bank of Hampton Roads, Bank of Suffolk, Commerce Bank, Duke
Oldsmobile, Frank Sheffer & Company Inc., Obici Hospital, Planters
Co., Sonoco Products Inc. and Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing
Authority
KEYWORDS: UNITED WAY
by CNB